Wreck claims 3 lives, puts man in hospital

Wednesday

Aug 28, 2013 at 2:35 AM

A two-vehicle accident on Highway 309 north of Paris last Thursday claimed the lives of three Paris residents and put another Paris man in the hospital.

James D. Lee, 32, of Paris and his son, James Lee, eight, and stepson, Caleb Campbell, 12, were killed when the 2006 Chevrolet in which they were riding collided with a 1996 Dodge pickup driven by 42-year-old Eric Thompson, also of Paris, who was airlifted for hospital treatment, according to the Arkansas State Police preliminary fatal crash summary.

Thompson was driving north on Highway 309, passing another vehicle. Lee was driving south on the highway when the two vehicles collided head-on, overturning the Chevrolet and ejecting the two children, about 3:46 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 22, the summary states.

Lee and his two sons were pronounced dead at the scene. Thompson was injured, according to the summary.

Logan County Chief Deputy Sheriff David Spicer said Thompson was taken to Mercy Hospital Paris and later airlifted to UAMS Medical Center in Little Rock for treatment. A fire ignited in the collision, Spicer said.

Arkansas State Police took lead in the investigation. The Logan County Sheriff’s Office, EMS, Roseville Rural Fire Department and Air Evac Lifeteam also responded to the scene.

The summary does not state whether the occupants of the vehicles were wearing seat belts at the time of the accident.

An account for the Lee family’s expenses has been set up at Simmons First National Bank. To donate, go to any Simmons First location in Arkansas and ask to make a contribution to the Michelle Lee donation account. Customers with their own Simmons First account can donate via telephone.

James D. Lee, James Lee and Campbell were buried Tuesday after a funeral in Ozark.

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